Archive for ‘HoneyComb’

Here are some of the key new features in iOS 4.3, which will just be an overlay on the existing iOS on the iPad.

Improved Safari Performance: Apple moved the Nitro Engine Javascript engine from the Mac OS to iOS making it twice as fast.

iTunes home sharing: lets you share your media and Apps across all your iDevices wirelessly over Wi-Fi. This is a no brainer and I’m surprised that Apple released this feature so late in the iOS lifecycle.

Airplay improvements: Apple lets you stream video and audio using third party apps from your iOS 4.3 device to your Apple TV. Yes, no configuration needed. GoogleChic, you may not understand the phrase “No configuration” since you haven’t had the Apple kool-aid 🙂

Preference for the iPad switch: If you prefer the switch on the top right of the iPad to act as a rotation lock or to act as a mute switch, you now have the option to set your preference in iOS 4.3.

Multi touch features: The iOS 4.3 will also support four or five finger gestures to give quick access to the home screen, multi tasking bar and to switch between Apps. Yes, everything is very intuitive.

Here are some HoneyComb features that you should consider before deciding on either device

Native Video Chat: Finally, a native video chat client (FaceTime on iOS) comes to Android. You should experience both before deciding on your device of choice.

Widgets: Android has gone over board with the widgets on Honeycomb while complicating user experience for non geeks. Why do you need a grid widget, a stack widget and why do you need visual previews of the Apps while switching between Apps? Eww reminds me of my Windows Vista!

Notifications: Seriously, the notification was annoying the hell out of me in the demo video. Its like someone repeatedly IM’ing you on GMail when you are typing that work email.

All in all, if you are geek and like to twist your brain around how to get your tablet to work best for you, then Android is the way to go. If you want a tablet which is intuitive and hassle free with the best user experience, then iOS is your obvious choice.

P.S: Check out the demo from the Android Honeycomb release. I would’nt blame you if you can’t get past 10 mins of the hour long video. Really, Google you need to learn how to get past your geekiness and reach out to the customers!!

BY THE GOOGLE CHIC

I would have to say that the most exciting feature of iOS 4.3 is the personal hotspot. I thought AppleGirl would be jumping up and down for this since she won’t have to tether off of me anymore 😉

The only downside to this is that it’s available only for the iPhone 4 and it looks like AT&T is putting a 3 device limit on this 😛 Apple is just a little behind in the game on this!

As for the intuitive multi touch features, if there’s one button on the device of course you would need an “intuitive” gesture to go home. What’s more intuitive than a home button on the device ?:)

UI – new UI with a holographic theme, improved home screen customization, widgets, and notifications that has been integrated into a 3D experience (yes, 3D support!)

Browser – Tabbing is now supported. A new feature “incognito mode” will let you browse without this history being record (I’m just saying)

Gmail – will be displayed in two columns including an action bar

Visual multi-tasking – provides a image of the last view state when switching between programs

Multiselect mode – ability to select multiple items

I guess AppleGirl, just doesn’t understand the concept of customization since it’s not available on iOS. Apple users are given what Steve Jobs says it’s good for the masses. I could see how having options would be confusing and frustrating for an Apple users. Most people would welcome the fact that you can choose which ever widget you would like to use whether it’s a grid or stack widget. No, I don’t think it’s for the geeks, if you don’t like it, simply don’t put it on your desktop.

The notification looks pretty seamless to me. If I’m working on something I can easily see gtalk messages coming in. It’s much better than a number over an App icon 🙂

Lastly, Steve Jobs must feel pretty insecure about iOS to have to distort the truth when it comes to number of apps available for Honeycomb. A majority of the apps on the Market will work on Honeycomb. There is a smaller percentage which has been optimized for Honeycomb but I wouldn’t take Job’s number as a fact considering his known distortion reputation.